What di the populist party suggest would raise cash crop prices?

The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily representing the interests of farmers and agrarian workers. The party was active from the 1890s to the early 1900s. One of the key issues for the Populists was addressing the economic challenges facing farmers, particularly in the context of falling crop prices.

To raise cash crop prices, the Populist Party advocated for several policy measures, including:

1. Free Coinage of Silver: The Populists supported the free and unlimited coinage of silver at a fixed ratio to gold. This policy aimed to increase the money supply, leading to inflation. Inflation was seen as a way to ease the burden of debt on farmers and raise crop prices. The idea was that with more money in circulation, the prices farmers received for their crops would increase.

2. Subtreasury Plan: The Populists proposed a Subtreasury Plan, also known as the "Warehousing Plan" or "Farmers' Alliance plan." Under this proposal, the government would establish warehouses (subtreasuries) where farmers could store their crops. The farmers could then receive low-interest loans, using their crops as collateral. By holding onto their crops until market conditions improved, farmers hoped to sell them at better prices.

3. Direct Regulation of Railroads and Grains Elevators: The Populist Party called for government regulation of transportation and storage infrastructure, particularly railroads and grain elevators. The party argued that these entities often engaged in discriminatory practices, charging farmers high rates for transportation and storage, which contributed to lower crop prices. Regulation was seen as a means to ensure fair treatment for farmers.

4. Graduated Income Tax: The Populists supported the idea of a graduated income tax, where wealthier individuals would pay higher tax rates. The revenue generated from this tax could be used to fund government programs and initiatives that benefited farmers, potentially including subsidies or price supports for agricultural products.

While the Populist Party did not achieve all of its policy objectives, some of its ideas and concerns were later incorporated into mainstream politics. The Populist movement had a lasting impact on American political discourse, influencing discussions on economic policy, agrarian issues, and the role of government in addressing economic inequalities.